Birding & Photography · 3 days / 2 nights · 🇪🇹 Ethiopia

Yabelo Endemic Birding — 3 Days

The only place on Earth for the Stresemann's bush-crow + the white-tailed swallow.

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Overview

Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary on the road to the Kenyan border is the only place on Earth to reliably see two Ethiopian endemic birds: the Stresemann's bush-crow (range limited to a 6,000 km² area) and the white-tailed swallow. Pair these with 194 other bird species including Somali ostrich and pastoralist Borana culture.

Route: Addis → Hawassa → Yabelo → Addis

Itinerary

Your day-by-day adventure

Tap into the rhythm of each day — locations, drive times, activities, and where you'll sleep.

  1. Day 1

    Addis → Hawassa

    Highlight: Hot-spring soak in Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary

    Long drive south; afternoon at Lake Hawassa for 100+ waterbirds.

    📍 Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 240 km ⏱ ~4 hrs 🍽 L, D 🏨 Haile Resort Hawassa
    • Game drives & sundowner
    • Photography stop
    • Guided nature walk
    • Hot-spring soak
  2. Day 2

    Hawassa → Yabelo

    Highlight: Morning bird-walk in Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary

    Continue south. Afternoon target the bush-crow + swallow.

    📍 Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 180 km ⏱ ~3 hrs 🍽 B, L, D 🏨 Yabelo Motel
    • Photography stop
    • Morning bird-walk
    • Guided nature walk
    • Sunrise tracking
  3. Day 3

    Yabelo → Addis

    Highlight: Visit local market in Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary

    Dawn birding; afternoon transfer back (with lunch at Lake Awassa).

    📍 Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 240 km ⏱ ~4 hrs 🍽 B, L
    • Sunrise tracking
    • Morning bird-walk
    • Visit local market
    • Cultural visit
Budget options

Choose your style of safari

Same itinerary, different comfort levels. Lock in the tier that fits your budget.

Budget
Budget — Comfort basics
$842 / pp
Single supp. +$120

Clean mid-range lodges and tented camps with reliable hot showers.

  • Shared 4x4 game drives
  • Full-board meals
  • English-speaking driver-guide
Book Budget
Most popular
Standard
Mid-range — Most popular
$990 / pp
Single supp. +$180

Established safari lodges and beach resorts (3–4★).

  • Private 4x4 with pop-up roof
  • All game-park fees
  • Bottled water
  • Welcome drink on arrival
Book Standard
Premium
Premium — Upgraded lodges
$1,336 / pp
Single supp. +$250

Premium lodges and luxury tented camps (4–5★) in prime locations.

  • Private guide & vehicle
  • Sundowner setup
  • Laundry service
  • Airport meet & greet
Book Premium
Bucket list
Luxury
Luxury — Bucket-list
$1,832 / pp
Single supp. +$420

Top-tier lodges, signature suites, and exclusive concessions.

  • Private driver-guide
  • Champagne sundowners
  • Private vehicle throughout
  • Butler-style service
  • Guaranteed window seat
Book Luxury
On this safari

What's onboard

local_bar Bar / Lounge
outdoor_grill Bush Breakfast
airport_shuttle Airport Transfers
favorite Honeymoon Setup
photo_camera Photography Hide
child_care Children's Pool
set_meal All-Inclusive Meals
Your route
Interactive map · OpenStreetMap
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Live forecast · Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary
20°C Partly cloudy · 2 km/h wind
Updated 2026-05-18T17:30
  1. 🌦 21° 13° 💧 7.6mm
  2. 🌦 21° 13° 💧 2.7mm
  3. 🌦 22° 14° 💧 1.1mm
  4. 🌧 22° 14° 💧 3.1mm
  5. 🌦 23° 14° 💧 2.4mm
  6. 🌦 22° 14° 💧 1.5mm
  7. 🌦 22° 14° 💧 0.6mm
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Live wildlife observations
Recently spotted near Yabelo Wildlife Sanctuary

Real observations published to GBIF by researchers, lodges, and citizen scientists — refreshed daily.

Zavattariornis stresemanni
2026-01-01 · Ethiopia
Stigmochelys pardalis
2026-01-01 · Ethiopia
Equus quagga
2026-01-01 · Ethiopia
Acryllium vulturinum
2026-01-11 · Ethiopia
Zavattariornis stresemanni
2026-01-11 · Ethiopia
Camaroptera brachyura
2026-01-11 · Ethiopia
Monticola saxatilis
2026-01-12 · Ethiopia
Melierax poliopterus
2026-01-11 · Ethiopia
Source: GBIF.org — Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Where you'll sleep

Hotels & lodges on this tour

Hand-picked properties — swap any for an upgrade at booking.

★★★★★ 9.0/10
Sheraton Addis
Luxury · Addis Ababa
From $295 / night · +$420 upgrade
Air-conditioningSwimming PoolGame DrivesWalking SafarisFamily Friendly
412 verified reviews
Book on Booking.com ↗ Add to trip
★★★★☆ 8.4/10
Maribela Hotel
Boutique · Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches
From $165 / night · +$180 upgrade
Air-conditioningRestaurantBar / LoungeGame DrivesGym / Fitness
198 verified reviews
Book on Booking.com ↗ Add to trip
★★★★☆ 9.0/10
Limalimo Lodge
Safari Lodge · Simien Mountains National Park
From $295 / night · +$65 upgrade
Free Wi-FiSwimming PoolGame DrivesBush BreakfastWalking Safaris
134 verified reviews
Book on Booking.com ↗ Add to trip
★★★★☆ 8.3/10
Avanti Blue Nile Hotel
Mid-range · Bahir Dar
From $145 / night
Spa & WellnessBush BreakfastCultural VisitsWalking SafarisPet-Free Zones
156 verified reviews
Book on Booking.com ↗ Add to trip
Getting here

Flight schedules to your gateway

Indicative fares from key hubs — our team can hold seats while you decide.

AirlineRouteDepartsArrives DurationDaysFrom
Ethiopian Airlines
ET701		 LHR → ADD
London · Addis Ababa · Non-stop 		20:35 06:55 7h 20m Daily $760 Book on Ethiopian Airlines ↗
Ethiopian Airlines
ET501		 JFK → ADD
New York JFK · Addis Ababa · 1 stop 		23:45 21:30 12h 50m Daily $980 Book on Ethiopian Airlines ↗
Ethiopian Airlines
ET607		 DXB → ADD
Dubai · Addis Ababa · Non-stop 		03:15 07:05 4h 50m Daily $520 Book on Ethiopian Airlines ↗
Lufthansa
LH598		 FRA → ADD
Frankfurt · Addis Ababa · Non-stop 		22:35 06:30 7h 50m Daily $1,080 Book on Lufthansa ↗

Fares are indicative round-trip economy and shift with demand. We rebook fare drops within 24 hrs.

In the price

What's included & what's not

check_circleIncludes

  • Private 4×4 + specialist birding guide
  • 2 nights full-board Yabelo Motel
  • Sanctuary fees + ranger
  • Borana cultural stop

cancelExcludes

  • Flights
  • Visa
  • Tips
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